Sport Illustrated has named tennis champion Serena Williams as its 2015 Sportsperson of the Year, but conservatives and others are incensed that the publication chose to honor Williams rather than horse-racing triple crown winner American Pharoah.
American Pharoah won a readers' poll for the honor, but Sports Illustrated chose instead to crown Williams, who posed on the cover draped over a golden throne.
"She was the most deserving person for the award. She had an amazing year. The way she won her events; the fact that she's done this for so many years at such a high level," said Paul Fichtenbaum -- editor of the Sports Illustrated Group -- to USA Today. "She was a terrific candidate in a year of terrific candidates."
Not everyone was pleased with the choice, however.
Columnist Brian Zipse at HorseRacingNation.com was outraged that the horse was "denied" the title.
"But...American Pharoah won the Grand Slam, and Serena Williams did not," Zipse fumed. "Once again, Thoroughbred horse racing has been denied by mainstream sports media."
"Sports Illustrated, your agenda is showing," he said.
On Twitter, the publication's mentions bristled with ire.
American Pharoah made his feelings known as well.
